FCC Chairman Cites Google Fiber As Model For The Rollout Of Speedy Broadband

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler’s prepared remarks for his trip to the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology have been published, detailing the FCC’s views on net neutrality (again), the coming spectrum auction (again), and, interestingly, Google Fiber.

The chairman’s document includes the following set of remarks regarding Google Fiber, and how it may pursue faster broadband in the United States (Emphasis: TechCrunch).

The private sector must play the leading role in extending broadband networks to every American. That’s why the FCC is committed to removing barriers to investment and to lowering the costs of broadband build-out. Google has developed a checklist for cities that want to participate in their Google Fiber project of steps that can be taken to ensure easier access to existing infrastructure and to make construction speedier and more predictable. The FCC should be asking similar questions about our own rules, cutting red tape wherever possible.

The FCC also spoke recently in favor of so-called “community broadband” in which local forces work together to provide access. The FCC went on to state that it would “preempt state laws that ban competition” from community broadband. Multi-provider competition would be a boon for the U.S. consumer.

Chairman Wheeler kicks off tomorrow in front of the House, which will likely see a spirited debate about net neutrality and more. TechCrunch will bring that to you as it happens.